University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Dogs may be humanity's oldest companions, but their evolution from wild wolves is still full of mysteries. New research from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is helping solve one of them by showing how domestication may have altered far more than behavior. Jacob Hansen, a graduate student in biology, and Dr. Raffaela Lesch, assistant professor of biology, have published a groundbreaking study demonstrating that domestication reshaped the canine larynx, the organ responsible for sound production. It's the first anatomical test of a major scientific concept called the neural crest domestication syndrome (NCDS) hypothesis. "This is the first study to test whether selection for tameness affects the voice box," Hansen said. "We found measurable differences between the larynges of dogs and wolves, which supports the idea that domestication doesn't just change behavior but also changes anatomy." The team's research, which was published in the Royal Society Open Science journal in July, offers rare anatomical insight into how domestication impacts the development of the voice box via neural crest cells, which are embryonic cells that influence everything from skull shape to vocal folds. While the NCDS hypothesis has previously been used to explain behavioral and physical changes in domesticated animals, no one had applied it to the larynx before. To conduct the study, Hansen and Lesch used CT scans to analyze and compare the larynges of domestic dogs and wolves. They identified 108 specific anatomical landmarks and worked with international collaborators to gather laryngeal specimens from across Europe. Their co-authors include Nicole D. S. Grunstra, W. Tecumseh Fitch, Andrew C. Kitchener, and Michaela Gumpenberger. "We saw significant differences in the size and shape of the larynx and vocal folds between dogs and wolves," Hansen said. "Dogs, particularly mesocephalic breeds with medium-length snouts, had smaller larynges and shorter vocal folds." Those differences suggest that the evolution of dogs' friendly and expressive behavior may have come with vocal trade-offs. Lesch, who mentored Hansen throughout the project, said the findings help validate a core prediction of the NCDS hypothesis: that selection for tameness reduces neural crest cell migration, which in turn influences multiple body systems. "The larynx is largely derived from neural crest cells," Lesch said. "The fact that we see structural changes in this organ supports the idea that domestication has widespread anatomical effects. This occurs not just on the visible features like ears or snouts, but on deeper systems that affect communication." Their work also hints at larger implications. Some researchers believe humans underwent a process of "self-domestication," evolving to become more sociable and cooperative over time. If so, studies like this could provide a biological roadmap to investigate how human anatomy may have changed as a result, according to Lesch. Co-authors hail from research institutions in the U.S. and Europe, including Austria's University of Vienna and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, as well as the National Museums Scotland, reflecting the international collaboration behind the study.

Colleen Gilliland, who graduated from UA Little Rock in May with a bachelor's degree in biology, used a $4,000 grant from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education for the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program to conduct research on the effects of bulimia on human teeth.

Zach Frank, a mechanical engineering student at UA Little Rock, has been awarded a $4,000 Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to support his research on developing a low-friction coating using recycled graphite from lithium-ion batteries.

UA Little Rock student Samantha Kohoutek-Miller has earned a grant from an endowment honoring James L. "Skip" Rutherford III, dean emeritus of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. This grant was established to give students a financial boost to help them achieve their educational goals.

Nistha Neupane, a student double majoring in biology and chemistry at UA Little Rock, has received a Student Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) grant from the Arkansas Division of Higher Education for the second year in a row.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the winners of it's 2025 Student Research and Creative Works Expo.

Carlee Felty, a political science major from Beebe, Arkansas, also earned an Honorable Mention Award in her first-ever MAL competition.

Trevor Dady, a mechanical engineering graduate student from White Hall, is exploring how an aerodynamic phenomenon known as the Coanda effect could improve the design and performance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), more commonly known as drones.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is reaching new heights with a unique balloon-launching initiative aimed at sparking high school students' interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives.

Martin McCorkle, a junior computer engineering major from Malvern, is pushing the boundaries of human-computer interaction through his research project that will be among the many student-led research projects showcased at the Student Research and Creative Works Expo on April 18 at UA Little Rock.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student received an invaluable education in public health through the Stead Scholars Program. The program is an eight-week paid internship that allows a select group of college undergraduate students to get hands-on experience in the field of public health through the Arkansas Department of Health and the College of Public Health at UAMS.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student took part in a highly competitive summer research program focused on organic chemistry, working to enhance the effectiveness of an experimental antibiotic.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student gained invaluable hands-on experience this summer while interning at Sherwin-Williams' research and development site in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Shrigun Maroo, a junior mechanical engineering major from India, spent two months serving as a visiting researcher at CURAM at the University of Galway in Ireland. CURAM is a national research center for medical devices, where they develop affordable, transformative solutions for chronic diseases.

Macey McLaughlin, a freshman studio art major from Paragould, has a goal to make art more accessible for everyone. "There are individuals who wish to explore their artistic abilities but often feel discouraged, thinking they can't draw even the simplest figures," McLaughlin said. "This lack of self-belief hinders their creative potential. Not everyone has access to the resources or teachers that can nurture their artistic growth. My project addresses both issues by providing an inclusive, accessible, and confidence-building artistic experience that can be cherished by all."

Armin Mortazi, a junior biology major and chemistry minor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has received a prestigious grant from the Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) awarded by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) for his research in combating antibiotic resistance.

A UA Little Rock student gained valuable research experience and mentoring during the Summer Undergraduate Research Program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Paige Poindexter, a senior biology major from Little Rock, is one of 10 students from colleges and universities around the country who was selected for the program, a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-funded effort in the UAMS Graduate School.

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock student and budding scientist dove headfirst into their IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE)-funded summer research program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).

A joint UA Little Rock/UAMS doctoral student has been recognized for his research to create a custom protein database to combat complex diseases like melanoma by identifying therapeutic vulnerabilities.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock team has received a $50,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program to help bring a new consumer product to market.

A University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is participating in a unique U.S.-Mexican collaborative research opportunity that combines digital field mapping techniques with state-of-the-art laboratory analytical work on the tectonic evolution of the Santa Rosalia basin area in the Gulf of California rift. Mariela Saavedra Duran, a double major in geology and Spanish from Alexander, Arkansas, was chosen for the Baja Basin program, which is funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation as an International Research Experiences for Students program.

UA LITTLE RESEARCH STUDY FINDS HOW COLLABORATIVE NETWORKS IN ARKANSAS WORK TOGETHER TO HELP FOSTER CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been awarded a federal grant worth more than $581,000 from the U.S. Department of Education that will help pay child care expenses for low-income students thanks to four graduate students and a professor.

Alyssa Joseph, a freshman at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been selected for a 2021 Mitchell Academic Incentive Award from Greater Little Rock Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Criminal justice researchers at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock are investigating the unique challenges and barriers faced by homeless LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning) adults in Arkansas.

Shannon Bione, a senior from Herrin, Illinois, is one of five UA Little Rock students who received the prestigious Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to conduct research projects.

Hannah Krehbiel, a senior from Fort Smith, is one of five UA Little Rock students who received the prestigious Student Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education to conduct research projects.

Josiah Johnson, a senior finance and economics major from Sherwood, is researching the impact on small towns that have been nominated for and featured on the TV show "Small Business Revolution." In the TV show, an ultimate prize of $500,000 is awarded to a small town for revitalization efforts. The prize is allocated primarily to six business ventures in each winning town to renovate stores and storefronts, improve marketing strategies, and establish a brand for each small business and town.

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is hoping his series of microdroids inspired by a galaxy far, far away will inspire other students to get interested in STEM education. Alejandro "Alex" Alvarez-Barreiro, a junior double major in mechanical engineering technology and Spanish, received a UA Little Rock Signature Experience Award to build microdroids inspired by the "Star Wars" Universe.

One University of Arkansas at Little Rock student is diving deeper into the results from the 2020 Little Rock Congregations Study (LRCS) to investigate the influence of income, politics, and religion on how people prioritize important community issues. Landon DeKay, a senior graduate with a degree in political science, received a Signature Research Grant from UA Little Rock to examine how LRCS study participants prioritize healthcare, race relations, and income equality.